WW1 ROYAL FLYING CORPS PILOTS FLYING GOGGLES WITH GOOD LUCK CHARM

WW1 ROYAL FLYING CORPS PILOTS FLYING GOGGLES WITH GOOD LUCK CHARM

HISTORY

WWI pilots often carried good luck charms for protection and to ease the anxiety of flying in dangerous conditions. These charms ranged from religious symbols and items from loved ones to personal talismans and even aircraft modifications. 

Here's a more detailed look at the types of charms used:

Personal Charms:

• Religious Symbols:

  Crucifixes, images of saints, and other religious items were common, reflecting a desire for divine protection. 

• Items from Loved Ones:

  Tokens, letters, or small objects given by family and friends were treasured for their sentimental value and perceived ability to bring good fortune. 

• Souvenirs and Mementos:

  Some pilots carried objects from their home country or from previous experiences, such as a boomerang or a four-leaf clover. 

• Animal-Related Charms:

  Rabbits' feet, black cats (sometimes even stuffed), and other animals were believed to bring luck. One pilot famously wired a stuffed black cat to his plane's struts. 

• Unique and Personal Items:

  Some pilots carried objects they found during service, like pieces of shrapnel or coins, while others favored items with special significance to them, like a silver thrupenny bit or a Cornish pixie. 

• Aircraft Decorations:

  Some pilots painted their aircraft with symbols or designs, like a swastika or a menacing face, for good luck or intimidation. 

Superstitions and Rituals:

• Flying Over Rainbows: Some pilots believed that flying over a rainbow would bring good luck. 
• Pre-flight Rituals: Many pilots had pre-flight routines or rituals to ward off bad luck and instill confidence. 
• "Touch Wood": A common superstition that involved touching or knocking on wood to avert bad luck. 

These charms and superstitions reflect the high-risk nature of early aviation and the pilots' desire to feel a sense of control and protection in the face of danger. 

History of the Golliwog

Golliwogs & Robertson's Jam

A classic Robertson's Jam Golly badge from the 1970s   James Robertson & Sons, a British manufacturer of jams and preserves, began using the Golliwog as its trademark in the early 1900s. According to the company's promotional literature, it was in the United States, just before World War I, that John Robertson (the owner's son) first encountered the Golly doll. He saw rural children playing with little black rag dolls with white eyes. The children's mothers made the dolls from discarded black skirts and blouses. John Robertson claimed that the children called the dolls "Golly" as a mispronunciation of "Dolly." He returned to England with the Golly name and image. By 1910 the Golly appeared on Robertson's product labels, price lists, and advertising material. Its appeal led to an enormously popular mail-away campaign: in return for 'Golly' tokens from their marmalade, Robertson's sent brooches (also called pins or badges) of Gollies playing various sports. The first brooch was the Golly Golfer in 1928. In 1932 a series of fruit badges (with Golly heads superimposed onto the berries) were distributed. In 1939 the popular brooch series was discontinued because the metal was needed for the war effort, but by 1946 the Golly returned. Despite much criticism during the 1960s and '70s, they simply changed their logo's name to 'Golly', and continued to stand by their trusty mascot. Consequently, the collecting of Robertson's Golly memorabilia is a hobby in itself, with a vast array of promotional material and items to be collected. In 1999 a Robertson spokesperson said, "He's still very popular. Each year we get more than 340,000 requests for Golly badges. Since 1910 we have sent out more than 20 million." Serious Robertson's collectors may have thousands of Golly badges in their collections. Nevertheless,Robertson's Golly badges still remain highly collectable, with the very rarest sometimes selling for more than £1,000, and even comparatively common and recent badges being worth £2.00–£3.00. Other Robertson's Golly memorabilia includes such things as clocks, watches, tableware, porcelain figurines, jewelry, aprons, knitting patterns, playing cards, dolls, children's silverware sets, pencils, erasers, and, of course, the Golly tokens themselves. Robertson pendant chains were introduced in 1956, and, soon after, the design of all Robertson Gollies changed from the Old Golly with pop eyes to the present Golly with eyes looking to the left. The words "Golden Shred" were removed from his waistcoat, his eyes were straightened, and his smile was broadened.

ITEM DESCRIPTION

This is a pair of WW1 RFC first pattern flyers goggles with the leather nose cover. It has a pilots lucky charm stitched to it in the form of a "Golliwog". Whilst Golliwog is a term I would not dare use today, at the turn of the century it was a common word or term used with childrend soft toys and dolls being made and sold as Golliwogs. Even MacRobertsons Jams (Famous UK Jam Maker) gave away a free Golliwog sticker with every jar of MacRobertsons jam it sold (see history above).

As the story goes it seems that these pair of flying goggles were not so lucky with the pilot crashing his plane resulting in damage to the goggles that  could be repaired however this would ruin the story. I personally think that these goggles are great and would not mind them in my own collection, they tell a great story.